The Toronto Raptors have clawed their way back into this series with Cleveland to level things at 2-2, leaving the outcome very much in anyone’s hands going forward after a tough start in the first two games. The last two matchups, both Raptors wins, have been defined by grit and toughness that fueled their victories.
Speaking of being gritty and tough, that’s exactly how sophomore Ja'Kobe Walter fought his way into a pivotal role for the Raptors this season. After questions loomed over which young players in Toronto’s roster would seize the moment and establish themselves as key fixtures for the future, Walter’s combination of perimeter defense, admirable hustle, and refined three-point ability after the All-Star break (45.2 percent) earned him significant minutes in the Raptors' rotation.
With Toronto having to navigate the absence of Immanuel Quickley, head coach Darko Rajakovic has been exploring different options in the starting lineup. Jamal Shead initially earned the starting nod for the first two games, but for Games 3 and 4, Rajakovic made a bold shift by inserting Ja'Kobe Walter in his place.
This move had many justified reasons.
Walter has multiple stints during the regular season taking on star assignments on defense against players like SGA, Steph Curry, and the current opponent Donovan Mitchell. That defensive ability, combined with his presence as a floor spacer, made the decision feel very logical.
Unfortunately, Walter’s two-game sample as a starter leaves a lot to be desired, at least on the shooting front.
Ja'Kobe Walter has looked rough in the Raptors' last two playoff games
During the regular season, he shot 40.9 percent from the field, but that ability hasn't quite carried over into these recent games. He is currently 0-for-11 from three and 0-for-15 overall from the field. Prior to Game 3, Walter's status was uncertain after he was added to the Raptors' injury report with an illness, but he ultimately suited up. You have to wonder if that illness contributed to his concerning slump or if this is just a case of a young player experiencing postseason jitters on a big stage.
It's much like the discussions surrounding Brandon Ingram's impact. If he could just shoot the ball more efficiently and effectively, this series could look a lot different in Toronto's favor. The same principle applies here with Ja'Kobe Walter. It was honestly quite surprising that Walter followed up a scoreless Game 3 with yet another ice-cold showing. Slumps can happen to anyone, but it is usually rare for a player to replicate a zero percent field goal night, and Walter did so — and it was worse in the process.
But here's where someone like Ja'Kobe Walter earns some well-deserved grace. The toughness he brings on the defensive end is still evident, even as his jump shot seems to have disappeared. In Game 4, it was also very promising to see Walter active on the glass, securing seven rebounds for Toronto. He also had three steals and three assists in the contest.
At the same time, it’s completely justified for Coach Darko to reconsider the Walter starting lineup experiment and see if he can find his rhythm again coming off the bench. He's had enough output to suggest that his shot at the moment simply isn’t working. In light of Jamal Shead’s strong effort in Game 4, maybe it’s time to give him the starting nod again and see if that sparks a change for the better.
It's remarkable that Toronto continues to win despite many player struggles on their hands. Much of that can probably be attributed to the Raptors' lifeblood of Scottie Barnes, CMB, and RJ Barrett steering the ship. However, I wouldn't count out Walter just yet based on this recent stretch. All it takes is just one hot shooting night to get the rhythm back in flow.
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